March 2020: I was only two weeks in at spring training at my new gig as a MiLB hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies. I had chills walking into the building every day. I was in my element, excited to continue forward...Countless college baseball players played a midweek game, and on the bus ride home were told "it may be over." With a snap of a finger, everything stopped, life as we knew it became devastating...circumstance, out of our control. The virus proved to be that powerful.
Nobody knew what was next...the uncertainty was real. What now??
I was blessed with the opportunity to kick COVID in the teeth this summer. I got to focus on baseball every day. I got to challenge my thoughts, and wake up every day with the intent of figuring out a puzzle. How did this happen?
It all started with texts/phone calls with a former player early on when the pandemic hit hard. This person has very similar values and aspirations as I do. Like me, he wanted to use this "circumstance," and find a way to take his game to the next level when it seemed like there wasn't much anybody could do. We came up with a plan, and got after it literally every day. It was his prerogative, but it was also my own personal "desire" and "need." It turned into one of the most influential/powerful summers of my life...even my career. His improvement was incredible. It is one of those things where you can say, "maybe COVID was a blessing in disguise." We both had a need, and COVID opened that door for us. It was never expected...but that's the beautiful part about life. We can have the most crazy/unexpected "curveballs" thrown at us, be human and feel shitty about it for a little, but then make the circumstance what we wish. That's what we decided to do.
School is back in session. Universities are trying to figure out how to navigate through a pandemic. Opinions of the virus have no compromise. The virus is just as powerful as before with the ability to strip away what we love most again if we aren't careful.
I would hope that we learned something valuable from that experience last March...but I'm not overly optimistic when it comes to the pride in selflessness for others that I hoped we would all develop. Some universities are currently surging with COVID. Stories of student-athletes going to parties, some hosting parties, cross-mingling with other sport teams when the directives say that can't happen, etc. I want to ask these student-athletes "what truly is your why?" "What makes that worth it right now after what you experienced last March?"
I went to college. It is unfortunate that their college experience isn't going to be normal this year, where even the most simple decision's need to be calculated...that is if they truly are doing what's asked of them. This is a virus where a poor decision by a single person can have extreme consequences for the rest wanting to do the right thing.
I feel for the guys where being a baseball player is the priority during this pandemic. Where every decision they make revolves around them being able to continue their careers. The one's that don't want to have to make another "circumstance" decision like last March to make the best of something out of their control. The ones that are ok with sacrifice, it's part of who they are. Unfortunately, circumstance in a team setting with school back in session is different than the summer example I provided above. It requires everyone (teammates, other sport athletes, even the regular student-body) buying in and making continued selfless decisions on the experiences worth having during a pandemic.
Many older adults are comfortable making excuses for college students with the rise in COVID cases, some asking "are you really surprised?" Yes...I am during a pandemic that has the strength to halt life as we know it. If baseball isn't tops the importance list for college baseball student-athletes...we aren't wired the same way...I don't understand you...nor do I want to.
We can't make the choices of others around us, but we can focus on setting the example and doing things the right way ourselves. We can also hold each other accountable. We can follow directions/protocol. We can think about our teammates when it's time to make a decision. So the question becomes, "do you want to be in the group that has excuses made for them, or can you be an outlier?"
Many know what the right answer is...but can you live it every day? Pretenders aren’t allowed in the outlier group. Words are cheap...actions are real. You aren't invincible. There’s no time for a thought of “one time wouldn’t hurt” if it went against what was being asked of an outlier. Outliers have an obligation to do what’s asked of them during the pandemic with no second thought because they just want to play baseball.
There are many outliers doing the right things, following protocol, being selfless, and actually finding enjoyment in it all. Here's the goofy reality...by being selfless and doing the right things during a pandemic, it allows you to be selfish and focus more on yourself.
Time to yourself in isolation to learn more about yourself. Time to develop yourself more fully. Time to do things that YOU want to do, alone.
My hope is more student-athletes can find excitement and value in those possibilities. That they will want to join the outlier group...but your actions better match. It's not always easy, but that's the way we prefer it.
----
This blog is for all you outliers truly focused on the right things. Staying selfless with following protocol, but also finding and enjoying the selfish power that comes with it during your time alone. It runs through your mind that you only have a small amount of time in your life to make the most out of your baseball experience. It's your priority. The other shit you “miss out on” doesn't matter. In your mind, you are putting yourself in front of others...you are. Some of you may make a career of baseball with how you approach it. Stay strong...and continue to lead the way! Proud to be an outlier with you.
"The distance between your dreams and reality is called discipline."
-Burm
Comments
Post a Comment